MONTREAL - For 24 years, Louise Pelletier organized spectacular variety show for her students, meticulously planning each detail and leaving a rich legacy at Lakeside Academy.
"She just found what you were good at and used it to its full potential," said Amanda Kellock. "She got people out of their shells and she got people involved."
According to her former students, Pelletier created unforgettable experiences.
"She was just a great person, she could be strict but that's only because she was doing it out of the goodness of her heart," said former student Marlena Koury. "She wanted us to be the best that we could be."
For more than two decades she built special relationships with countless students, treating them like her own children. Jason Devine was one of them.
"Her house was an extension of her classroom," said Devine. "We'd go over anytime of day, any day, weekends, hang out, write warm fuzzies, tie-dye t-shirts, there would always be food around."
Tech journalist Elias Makos says that as news of Pelletier's illness spread, the love and attention she had given to so many was returned. He was with her during her final days.
"The one thing she said to me, she said ‘My heaven was here,' and that's what touched me the most," said Makos.
Even though Pelletier retired five years ago and became sick, she continued to plan the annual variety show. Renaud Labesse now does everything he can to carry on what Pelletier left behind.
People are looking for different way to be eternal, well she's going be forever remembered here at Lakeside and in some ways she'll live forever," said Labesse.
Pelletier passed away on April 3.
